The
basis of progressive politics is commitment to democracy. The root of
democracy is the demos -- the undifferentiated mass of common
people. Without this commitment, this basis, progressive politics reveals
itself to be anything but progressive. Such toxic variants of
self-described progressivism are not hard to find, and their effects
undercut the hopes and work of progressives everywhere.

Take an anonymous trip
through the bulletin boards on the internet that cater to people of
ostensibly progressive political inclinations. Read the posts at
Democratic Underground, Smirking Chimp, Alternet, Utne,
and similar sites. You will not have to look long or far to find
expressions of contempt for “the American people” in terms ranging from
dismissive to ardently hateful.

The internet is not
everything, and bulletin boards are not the final word in politics. However,
they also are not nothing, and do at this point constitute a significant
venue for the exchange of political views. What they present cannot be
disregarded as a merely incidental or marginal symptom of extreme
antidemocratic sentiments. They are, in fact, a symptom of longstanding,
deep malaise in ostensibly progressive ranks.

Beyond the internet
boards, consider the disconnect that so often appears between the analysis
and conclusion of progressively oriented sites. Buzzflash, Common
Dreams, The Nation, The Progressive, and a host of others often
present clear, insightful analyses of the political forces in our nation and
world. They speak openly of the substantial faults of the so-called
Democratic Party and its various public representatives, including
recognition that the DP is beholden to the same corporate interests that
fund the other “major” political party. These same analyses are typically
followed by recommendations to hold various parts of one’s anatomy and vote
for the very same corporately bonded “democrats” whose venality has just
been detailed.

What happened? If a
political group is seen as consciously serving the interests of war,
transferring wealth from the poor to the already rich, continuing the
degradation of the natural environment, and accelerating the assault on our
remaining civil liberties, why would any self-styled progressive come to the
conclusion to support such an outfit? It seems reminiscent of faith-based
politics where the disconnect can at least be explained by reference to
sources not subject to reason. Progressivism, however, is not contingent on
theological underpinnings, and thus should be liable to rational examination
and logical review.

The recent “ABB”
psychosis is simply the most recent crystallization of this irrationality.
Beginning from progressive concerns about the real political crisis in this
country -- and ultimately, the world -- many groups and individuals involved
in the work of peace, racial liberation, global justice and other laudable
efforts turned their focus to electing Senators Kerry and Edwards. What
rational process leads a progressive from good and obvious premises to
support for an ultra-rich, pro-war opponent of equal rights under law for
all citizens, a consistent supporter of economic globalization, outsourcing,
and the rest of the corporate servicing that is dragging the majority
population in the United States into Second World status?

Many people have
suggested that this was due to the belief that the United States was either
on the brink of becoming or actually has turned into a fascist state. For
persons laboring under such overheated imaginings, it is only necessary to
refer them to any of the many available texts describing what real fascism
brought to their respective populations. There do not exist routine,
widespread assassinations in this country; there are not camps where
political and social deviants are routinely rounded up, detained, and
ultimately killed; there is not the universal suppression of opposition
voices and views in print, on the internet, and via other means. It is time
for persons who seriously subscribe to the belief that we live in a fascist
country to do some intensive reading…or get medical help. Such obviously
overstated and even delusional views have led to correspondingly deluded
political conclusions…in the case of the recent campaign, to the support of
the “antifascist” corporate hucksters of the Democratic Party.

Somewhat akin to the
previous perspective is the thought that the disconnect between analysis and
conclusion can best be explained by simple fear. So afraid of the Bush
government were self-styled progressives, that they became logically
paralyzed, unable to reason to a position of continued opposition, instead
succumbing to the ABB capitulation. The virtue of this explanation is that
it makes humanly comprehensible the otherwise seemingly inexplicable
mutation of progressives into foot soldiers for the status quo. We all know
what fear is, and know its power. While such an explanation rightfully
elicits sympathy, it finesses the crucial question of not only
progressivism, but of reason itself. If fear can so grip activists that
they become unable to reason their way out of signing on to the very process
that they set out to oppose and transform, then what good is reason?

It does no good to wag
an admonishing finger at terror-stricken people, nor is it consistent with a
democratic ethos. We are all in this together, and those who might be
tempted to feel high and mighty about having resisted the recent
lemming-like rush to the ABB cliffside should take stock of their own
attitudes. What is needed is a dose of humility and a calm reaffirmation
that when we abandon reason, we have left the reality-based community. When
such an abandonment occurs, far more than progressivism has been discarded.
In the face of all manner of real and impending problems, there is no
substitute for keeping a grip on facts and a focus on the accessibility of
truth through reasoned analysis.

There are many ways to
surrender to hysteria and they all lead to the betrayal of progressive
politics. Squarely facing this with a self-critical splash of cold water
leads us back to the decision we made when we first embarked upon our
respective political journeys: our commitment to make a world where
happiness and justice can coexist in harmony. It is a choice each must
make, and that requires periodic renewal. In this time of anomie,
confusion, and despair, let us explicitly take up once more the cause of
reason and our commitment to the concerns that led us into politics in the
first place.

Dan Raphael has been an activist since
the Vietnam war was heating up, and is a member of the Green Party of the
United States.